Woulda DWI from 10+ years ago show up on a background report?

tltaylor89 · 01-08-10, 07:55 PM

I wouldent say anything if it wasnt a felony conviction

Grandmaster B · 01-08-10, 07:57 PM

there is a record of it somewhere...they hold records from anything criminal...regardless how long it was ago...regardless if it was "taken off your record"

but who has access to it?

I doubt employers got access to sealed archives unless its for a government job or a casino

BurtRapp · 01-08-10, 08:05 PM

You are mostly fine. DWI and DUI's are more strict now. 10++ years they weren't felonies. You should get it sealed in the future but for now I would say 80 percent you are fine.

flyingillini · 01-08-10, 08:06 PM

In Califas, it's called a DUI.

Iwinyourmoney · 01-08-10, 08:09 PM

No. Records hold for 7 years and poof. ONLY person who can access things from 7+ years are police, period. There are 2 different record systems, one for police only and one for public (ex: insurance companies, ect). You are safe my friend

mmike032 · 01-08-10, 08:12 PM

if its been over 10 yrs than, no I wouldnt say anything.

might wanna check for yourself though and see what the conviction date is..

UntilTheNDofTimE · 01-08-10, 08:20 PM

A DUI is a misdemeanor in 98% of cases, i got a wet n wreckless recently and my lawyer said i dont even have to disclose it for non driving jobs since its not a felony.

20Four7 · 01-08-10, 08:46 PM

IN Canada I DUI is a criminal offense leading to a criminal record. You need to apply for a pardon to get rid of it and don't try to cross to the US until you do. Once you try and it comes up it's on the US database forever. In the US I don't know how they handle impaired driving convictions. If I can save one SBR poster that's my job.

daneblazer · 01-08-10, 08:53 PM

Probably depends on the job on whether or not it will matter. Stuff can show up from long ago depending on how thorough the background check is.

daneblazer · 01-08-10, 09:03 PM

I worked for the Board of Medicine out of college. DUI/DWI's would show up on a doctors record from over 20 years ago. If it wasn't recent and they were trying to get licensed, they would have to give a written explanation and were more than likely given a pass. This is about as thorough of a background check as you can get though. It definitely stays on your record, but time lessens the severity of your mistake.

onthewhat · 01-08-10, 10:07 PM

Yes it will show up, your rap sheet does not get erased just because it has been a certain period of time

However the 10+ years stuff, if it has been over 10 years since an offense like that basically it shows that you learned your lesson and were probably young anyways when it happened, etc. and they will look past it. If you don't have any bad marks in past 10 years then don't worry, but come clean and say you had the DUI in the past because if you don't come clean and admit it you will look bad, and by saying you had it, it makes you look honest

mmike032 · 01-08-10, 10:10 PM

I would assume it comes down to if your applying for a job driving trucks or sitting behind a desk...

BEANTOWNJIM · 01-08-10, 10:13 PM

THEY WILL FIND OUT WITH A CORY CHECK IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WENT FOR A POST OFFICE JOB.THE CORY CHECK SHOWS EVERYTHING I HAD A DWI OVER 20 YEARS AGO THE POST OFFICE WOULDNT HIRE ME BECAUSE I LIED ON MY APPLICATION.CORY CHECKS SHOW EVERY CONVIVTION YOU HAVE EVER HAD SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST TELL THEM.ALL GOVERNMENT JOBS AND STATE JOBS DO CORY CHECKS SO YOUR F-CKED IF YOU LIE

KKoz9 · 01-09-10, 04:21 AM

Originally posted by stevek173

Interviewing for job was told they'd run a background report, guy said "if you have any crimes in the past 10 years please save both of us time and tell me now."
I think I got it in 1998 , long since resolved and expunged.
Was a DWI, no other offenses. Would you say something?
Sorry about the random questions guys, you know a lot of sh *t

You didn't give much information to work with and just about all of the replies are totally incorrect so here's the skinny:

What state are you in? It varies by state, but the following rules generally apply.

1. If you were convicted of DWI then it will always be there. It is a public record available to anyone. First DWI is always a misdemeanor unless children were in the car in some states.

2. You mentioned expungement. That could have only happened two ways. If you plead to a different offense, you could have gotten the DWI arrest expunged, but the record of the conviction to the other offense will still be there (whatever you may have plead to, i.e. obstruction of a highway, etc.). The only other way you may have had the case expunged is by being acquitted at trial.

3. Where I live, they have deferred adjudication which is basically probation. When probation is successfully completed, the case is dismissed without a conviction, but the record of the case will always be there and cannot be expunged. It is in effect a conviction to most employers - they just see that you were arrested and took a plea, although in this situation you could answer NO if the question asks about CONVICTIONS.

4. It was longer than 10 years ago, so it looks to be irrelevant anyway. Answer the question you are asked.

Good luck!

Shortstop · 01-09-10, 05:36 AM

It sounds like they are close to offering you the position if it has even gotten this far in the process. They wouldn't run a check on someone they're not interested in obviously. How many other people are you up against?

Good Luck!

stevek173 · 01-09-10, 06:07 AM

1st off thanks alot all, you have been more than informative and i very much appreciate it

The DWI was in NJ, i'm in PA now since the start of the decade. FYI in NJ a DWI is a more serious DUI charge due to an increased level of intoxication. Messed up situation, I was smashed, pulled over trying to sleep it off, etc etc. But this thread isn't about that.

At this point I'm thinking I should disclose it to be safe. It is not a position for the government or anything like that. It seems like the fact it happened is of little consequence because it has been more than a decade but not disclosing and then having it show up could be a deal breaker.

TY for the warm wishes

-Steve

stevek173 · 01-13-10, 12:30 PM

FYI end result I was completely honest with them about it and they were cool. Background report came back clean they said, and I have accepted the offer they extended. Thanks for the insight fellas!

Irish Lumberjack · 01-13-10, 12:33 PM

It comes off your driving report in 10 years and never comes off your criminal report. But after 10 years with no other problems you'll be fine.

Boner_18 · 01-13-10, 12:35 PM

The magic word here is "expunged." If you received a final order of expungement that means it is not on your record, not even an officer who pulls you over will see it.

However, there may be a record that something was expunged which can be just as bad as an offense itself. 10 years tho and you should be fine.

Boner_18 · 01-13-10, 12:36 PM

Congrats on the job BTW!

stevek173 · 01-13-10, 12:37 PM

ty ty

onthewhat · 01-13-10, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by stevek173

FYI end result I was completely honest with them about it and they were cool. Background report came back clean they said, and I have accepted the offer they extended. Thanks for the insight fellas!

Smart decision. It was so long ago that they would over look it if you came clean. If you lied and they found it you would have gotten chucked.

Richkas · 01-13-10, 12:45 PM

Yes. All charges dismissed or not will show up. You have to go thru a bunch of shit to get the ones that were dismissed removed.